2026 (1) 1

https://doi.org/10.15407/polymerj.48.01.003

 

BIODEGRADABLE POLYMERS.

PART 3. POLYMERS OBTAINED FROM SYNTHETIC MONOMERS

 

Valentyna BOIKO* (ORCID: 0000-0002-5527-0468)

Sergii RIABOV (ORCID: 0000-0003-2996-3794)

Larisa KOBRINA (ORCID: 0000-0001-6801-0801)

Anton TYMOSHYK (ORCID: 0009-0003-3730-1771)

Tetiana DMYTRIEVA (ORCID: 0000-0002-3526-8395)

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, NAS of Ukraine

48, Kharkivske Highway, Kyiv, 02155, Ukraine

*Corresponding author.

e-mail:  Riabov.S@nas.gov.ua

Polimernyi Zhurnal, 2025, 48, no. 1: 3-14

Section: Review

Language: Ukrainian.

Abstract

The review focuses on biodegradable polymers (BDPs) produced by traditional synthesis from synthetic monomers. Attention is paid to aliphatic polyesters (polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate), aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters (poly-(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), aliphatic polyamides, polyamide ethers, polyurethanes, polypropylene carbonate, and polyvinyl alcohol. These polymers, due to their structural features, can undergo biological degradation under the influence of natural factors in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The synthesis methods for each of these BDPs are analyzed in detail, and schemes for their preparation are provided, along with examples of raw materials, polymerization catalysts, and other technological nuances. The physical, thermal, and mechanical properties are provided for each of the specified BDPs, depending on their molecular weight and degree of crystallinity. The types of solvents for these polymers are listed. It is shown that to improve the operational characteristics of BDPs, copolymers and mixtures with other high-molecular compounds are obtained. References are provided for areas of application of BDPs obtained from synthetic monomers. The mechanism of degradation of these polymeric materials in the natural environment is described, and strains of microorganisms that decompose these BDPs in the environment are listed.

The review analyzed publications during the past few decades, which allows us to conclude about the relevance of scientific and technical research and practical use of biodegradable polymers elaborated from synthetic monomers.

Keywords: biodegradable polymers, synthetic monomers, polycaprolactone, polybutylene succinate, aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic polyamides, polyamide esters, polyurethanes, polypropylene carbonate, polyvinyl alcohol.

 

REFERENCES

1. Chinthapalli R., Skoczinski P., CarusM., et.al. Biobased building blocks and polymers—global capacities, production and trends, 2018–2023, Industrial Biotechnology, 2019, 15, 4: 237–241. https://doi.org/10.1089/ind.2019.29179.rch.
2. Rosenboom J.G., Langer R., Traverso G. Bioplastics for a circular economy. Nature Reviews Materials, 2022, 7, 2: 117–137. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-021-00407-8.
3. Cakmak O.K. Biodegradable polymers – A review on properties, processing, and degradation mechanism. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2024, 4, 1: 339–362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00277-y.
4. Labet M., Thielemans W. Synthesis of polycaprolactone: a review. Chemical Society Reviews, 2009, 38, 12: 3484–3504. https://doi.org/10.1039/b820162p.
5. Ntrivala M. A., Pitsavas A. C., Lazaridou K., Baziakou Z., Karavasili D., Papadimitriou M., Ntagkopoulou C., Balla E., Bikiaris D. N. Polycaprolactone (PCL): The biodegradable polyester shaping the future of materials – a review on synthesis, properties, biodegradation, applications and future perspectives. European Polymer Journal, 2025, 234, 114033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2025.114033.
6. Ikada Y., Tsuji H. Biodegradable polyesters for medical and ecological applications. Macromolecular Rapid Communications, 2000, 21, 3: 117–132. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1521-3927(20000201)21:3%3C117::AID-MARC117%3E3.0.CO;2-X.
7. Ilyas R.A., Zuhri M.Y.M., Norrahim M.N.F., et.al. Natural fiber-reinforced polycaprolactone green and hybrid biocomposites for various advanced applications. Polymers, 2022, 4, 1: 182. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010182.
8. Dwivedi R., Kumar S., Pandey R., et.al. Polycaprolactone as biomaterial for bone scaffolds: Review of literature. Journal of oral biology and craniofacial research, 2020, 10, 1: 381–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobcr.2019.10.003.
9. Bartnikowski M., Dargaville T.R., Ivanovski S., Hutmacher D.W. Degradation mechanisms of polycaprolactone in the context of chemistry, geometry and environment. Progress in Polymer Science, 2019, 96: 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2019.05.004.
10. Rafiqah S., Khalina A., Harmaen A.S., et.al. A review on properties and application of bio-based poly (butylenesuccinate). Polymers, 2021, 13, 9: 1436–1464. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13091436.
11. Barletta M., Aversa C., Ayyoob M., et.al. Poly (butylenesuccinate) (PBS): Materials, processing, and industrial applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 2022, 132: 101579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2022.101579.
12. Quecholac-Piña X., Hernández-Berriel M.D.C., Mañón-Salas M.D.C., et.al. Degradation of plastics under anaerobic conditions: A short review. Polymers, 2020, 12, 1: 109–127. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12010109
13. Jian J., Xiangbin Z., Xianbo H. An overview on synthesis, properties and applications of poly (butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate)–PBAT. Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research, 2020, 3, 1: 19–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aiepr.2020.01.001.
14. European Bioplastics. Available online: https://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/market_data/2025/EUBP_Market_Data_Report_2025.pdf.
15. Roy S., Ghosh T., Zhang W., Rhim J. Recent progress in PBAT-based films and food packaging applications: A mini-review. Food Chemistry, 2024, 437, 137822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137822.
16. Burford T., Rieg W., Madbouly S. Biodegradable poly (butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Physical Sciences Reviews, 2023, 8, 8: 1127–1156. https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2020-0078.
17. Meyer-Cifuentes I.E., Werner J., Jehmlich N., et.al. Synergistic biodegradation of aromatic-aliphatic copolyester plastic by a marine microbial consortium. Nature communications, 2020, 11, 1: 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-19583-2.
18. Ferreira F.V., Cividanes L.S., Gouveia R.F., Lona L.M. An overview on properties and applications of poly (butyleneadipate‐co‐terephthalate)–PBAT based composites. Polymer Engineering & Science, 2019, 59, 2: 7–15.
19. Itabana B. E., Mohanty A. K., Dick P., Sain M., Bali A., Tiessen M., Lim L. T., Misra M. Poly (Butylene Adipate-Co-Terephthalate) (PBAT) – Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Review. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2024, 309(12), 2400179. https://doi.org/10.1002/mame.202400179.
20. Winnacker M., Rieger B. Biobased polyamides: recent advances in basic and applied research. Macromolecular rapid communications, 2016, 37, 17: 1391–1413. https://doi.org/10.1002/marc.201600181.
21. Khedr M.S.F. Bio-based polyamide. Physical Sciences Reviews, 2023, 8, 7: 827–847. https://doi.org/10.1515/psr-2020-0076.
22. Diaz-Galbarriatu M., Sánchez-Bodón J., Hernáez-Laviña E., Vilas-Vilela J. L., Moreno-Benítez I. Biobased Polyamides: A Journey from the Biomass Towards Cutting Edge Materials. Polymers, 2025, 17(19), 2599. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17192599.
23. Zheng L., Wang M., Li, Y., Xiong Y., Wu C. Recycling and Degradation of Polyamides. Molecules, 2024, 29(8), 1742 https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29081742.
24. Radzik P., Leszczyńska A., Pielichowski K. Modern biopolyamide-based materials: synthesis and modification. Polymer Bulletin, 2020, 77, 1: 501–528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-019-02718-x.
25. Lipatov Yu.S., Kercha Yu.Yu., Sergeeva L.М. Structure and properties of polyurethanes. Kiev: Nauk. dumka, 1970: 280.
26. Ryabov S.V., Kobrina L.V., Kercha Yu.Yu., Kosenko L.A., Shtompel V.I., Laptii S.V., Kuporev B.A. Structural-chemical modification of urethane-containing polymers with ethyloxyethyl cellulose. Polymer Science Series A, 2002, 44(9): 941–946.
27. Ryabov S.V., Kobrina L.V., Shtompel’ V.I., Vilenskij V.A., Kercha Y.Y., Laptij S.V. Urethane-containing composites based on ethyloxyethylcellulose. Ukrainskij Khimicheskij Zhurnal, 2003, 69(5–6): 120–12.
28. Savelyev Yu. V., Yanovych I. V., Markovska L. A., Akhranovych O. R., Savelyeva O. A., Robota L. P. Creation of new polyurethane lactose-containing foams capable to degradation in environment. Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2011, 7: 138–142.
29. Savelyev Yu. V., Yanovych I. V., Akhranovych O. R., Markovska L. A., Budash Yu. A., Savelyeva O. A. Polyurethane foams based on natural polysaccharides. Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2012, 9: 124–130.
30. Savelyev Y., Markovskaya L., Savelyeva O., Akhranovich E., Parkhomenko N., Travinskaya T. Degradable polyurethane foams based on disaccharides. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2015, 132(25). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.42131.
31. Travinskaya Т.V., Brykova А.N., Savelyev Yu.V. Degradable ionic polyurethanes based on vegetable oil and polysaccharide: preparation and properties. Reports of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2016, 12, 82–89.
32. Vilensky V.A., Kobrina L.V., Riabov S.V., Kercha Y.Y., Boyko V.V., Brovko A.A., Tkalich M.G., Lebedev A.F. Polyurethanes based on hydroxylated rapeseed oil: thermal and dynamic mechanical properties Polimernyi Zhurnal, 2015, 37, 2, 162–167 https://doi.org/10.15407/polymerj.37.02.162.
33. Furtwengler P., Avérous L. Renewable polyols for advanced polyurethane foams from diverse biomass resources. Polymer Chemistry, 2018, 9, 32: 4258–4287. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8PY00827B.
34. Das A., Mahanwar P. A brief discussion on advances in polyurethane applications. Advanced Industrial and Engineering Polymer Research, 2020, 3, 3: 93–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aiepr.2020.07.002.
35. Stepien A.E., Zebrowski J., Piszczyk Ł., et.al. Assessment of the impact of bacteria Pseudomonas denitrificans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and yeast Yarrowia lipolytica on commercial poly (etherurethanes). Polymer Testing, 2017, 63: 484–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2017.08.038.
36. Skleničková K., Abbrent S., Halecký M., et.al. Biodegradability and ecotoxicity of polyurethane foams: a review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 2022, 52, 2: 157–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2020.1818496.
37. Li X., Meng L., Zhang Y., et.al. Research and Application of Polypropylene Carbonate Composite Materials: A Review. Polymers, 2022, 14, 11: 2159–2182. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112159.
38. Bora D., Dutta H., Saha B., et. al. A review on modification of polypropylenecarbonate (PPC) using different types of blends/composites and its advanced uses. Materials Today Communications, 2023, 37: 107304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.107304.
39. Wang L., Li Y., Yang J., et. al. Poly (Propylene Carbonate)-Based Biodegradable and Environment-Friendly Materials for Biomedical Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024, 25, 5: 2938. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052938.
40. Halima N.B. Poly (vinylalcohol): review of its promising applications and in sights into biodegradation. RSC Advances, 2016, 6, 46: 39823–39832. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA05742J.
41. Saini T., Meena J., Verma V., Saini S., Malik R. Polyvinyl alcohol: Recent advances and applications in sustainable materials. Polymer-Plastics Technology and Materials, 2025, 64(6), 794–825. https://doi.org/10.1080/25740881.2024.2438046.
42. Bastioli C. (Ed.). Handbook of biodegradable polymers. Walter de Gruyter GmbH&Co KG., 2020: 520. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781501511967.
43. Verma C., Quraishi M.A. Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) as a biodegradable polymeric anticorrosive material: A review on present advancements and future directions. Corrosion Engineering, Science and Technology, 2022, 57, 8: 796–812. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478422X.2022.2125621.
44. Fan Y., Ren J., Cao Y., Zou Y., Xiao X., Liu, F. Recent Advances in Polyvinyl Alcohol–Based Biodegradable Packaging: Preparation, Modification, and Applications in Food Packaging. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 2025, 24(6), e70334. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.70334.